Thursday, 4:30 PM
Former Celtics player will lead Boston recreation efforts
By LeMont A. Calloway, Globe correspondent
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced the appointment of former Boston Celtics player Dana Barros as the city's recreation director.
Barros, a Mattapan native who spent six years with the Celtics, said his goal is to make children more aware of recreational options, so they don't hang out on the streets.
"When I get a little older and have been through this a little more, I'll understand the impact I'm capable of having on a bunch of kids," Barros said.
Also, this afternoon, Menino is joining officials from the Boston Foundation and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay to announce that they and 10 other groups will provide $500,000 to expand summer programs serving youths at risk of getting into trouble. The money is being given to 41 agencies that will serve more than 4,000 young people.
"Boston is well served by organizations in neighborhoods across the city that can provide thoughtful and effective programming to help keep our young people safe this summer," Paul Grogan, president and CEO of the Boston Foundation, said in a statement. "This summer everyone needs to do more, and this partnership makes that possible."
